EMEA Wealth Strategy - Associate - London

BlackRockEMEA Wealth Strategy–London, UK

Business Unit Overview: 

The EMEA Wealth division is a key client business within BlackRock, responsible for developing a $1T book of business across Europe, Middle East and Africa, through leveraging the full breadth of BlackRock’s platform across public and private markets investments, services and technology. 

The EMEA Wealth Business Strategy team is responsible foridentifying and executing on key strategic initiatives for the business, across strategic planning, project management of key transformational initiatives and client specific deals, generation of market intelligence and insights.

Job Purpose/Background

We are looking for an Associate to join the EMEA Wealth Business Strategy team. The role will be critical in shaping and delivering the business’s strategic projects in EMEA, with a particular focus on client-specific business development activity across all segments in the UK. This includes the distribution of iShares, index Mutual Funds, active Mutual Funds, liquid & illiquid alternative investments, and bespoke client solutions.

The Associate will work with cross-functional teams, connecting with multiple stakeholders in the organisation, including senior management, and offers significant exposure and growth opportunities. 

Key to performing well in this role is to possess a results-oriented mindset, the capability to utilise analytical skills, and have the ability to work under pressure. This role will be based in London.

Key responsibilities:

• As a key member of the Wealth Business strategy team, the candidate will work closely with the UK Wealth leadership team, and key partner functions across the Partnerships team, Corporate development and COO team, to drive specific business strategy initiatives, including: 

Formulation and maintenance of the UK business strategy, across all segments (including UK & Global Private Banks, UK Retail Banks, Asset Managers, Digital Wealth providers, UK Wealth & Advisory Firms, key UK distribution platforms & UK retail Fund of Funds)

Specific client business development – to support the business’s strategic goals, with a focus on the UK

The assessment of strategic investments to help drive ongoing growth in the UK – the largest market in the region.

Ongoing monitoring of progress of key strategic initiatives. 

• Be responsible for driving all project phases of a business development initiative e.g., clear scoping of the opportunity, defining an approach and analyses, gathering information from different sources and synthesizing findings in impactful reports.

• Work autonomously on the development of projects and engage regularly with senior members of the team (VP, D, MD) and senior stakeholders in the organisation to help identify and prioritise strategic opportunities.

Knowledge/Experience and key competencies:

• Strong knowledge of the financial industry and asset management knowledge, with a particularly focus on the UK.  Understanding of different asset management products (index / active / alternatives) desired but not required

• Relevant background in strategy or business development with 3-5 years of work experience, within asset management, professional services (strategic consulting, investment banking, private equity) or as part of internal strategy or business development teams.

• Analytical and quantitative skills: comfortable evaluating business opportunities, including acquisitions, partnerships and joint ventures and performing data analysis with good degree of autonomy to synthesise results for the team and senior stakeholders.

• Problem solving and ability to think logically and deconstruct a larger problem into sub-components, to prioritise issues and allocate resources accordingly.

• Structured communication skills to convey complex ideas top-down and ask targeted questions to arrive at a solution.

• Interpersonal skills: team player; confidence to engage with the team and a diverse set of stakeholders, understand their viewpoints, build long-term relationships, and create a collaborative environment within the team.

• A desire to grow quickly, working in a high-energy environment with commitment to excellence.

Skills / Qualifications:

• Strong academic background with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. 

• Fluency in English (verbal and written)

• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint required

• Professional qualification such as CFA and IMC desirable but not required

Our Benefits